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Thursday, 26 May 2011

Birmingham Duo Targeted by Spurs and Arsenal

Birmingham City's relegation looks set to spark a feeding frenzy among Premier League clubs keen to hand-pick their top players, with defenders Scott Dann and Roger Johnson set to be top of both Arsenal and Spurs' wanted lists.The pair became the cornerstones of Birmingham's impressive campaign in the 2009/10 season at the heart of Alex McLeish's defence - attracting interest last summer.The club managed to stave off numerous bids to keep them, but injuries to both players - including a serious knock that kept Dann out for the majority of the 2010/11 campaign - hindered Birmingham's form.Despite winning the Carling Cup against the odds, Blues were relegated on the final day - and with both players unlikely to sign new deals now the club are back in the second tier, there is just one year until they would be free to leave on free transfers.
While owner Carson Yeung has decided to stand by his manager, it seems several players will be for sale - but at the right price.Despite ruling out any players leaving the club on the cheap, Birmingham chairman Peter Pannu admitted: 'If someone offers £3million for one of our top players, they will be told "forget it", but if someone offers £10m, £15m, then we are more likely to think about it.'But nothing is cast in stone - it is too early really to talk about this sort of thing. 'I will be meeting [Carson] to discuss what we must do for next season.'
Both the north London rivals are in need of reinforcements at the back, and according to recent reports scouts have been reporting back to both clubs on the availability of Dann and Johnson.
However, the recommendations are that they work best in a partnership - and therefore both Spurs and Arsenal are said to be keen on offering a cash bid to tempt Birmingham into selling the players as a package.
Arsene Wenger has already admitted this summer will be his busiest in terms of transfers for 'many years'.